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Things I Learned on My Son’s 10th birthday

SOS climbed into our bed after breakfast. I was the only one in pajamas, because POB and SOS had been up for a while doing all the usual morning routines for a day at camp. I love this time in the morning. My family lets me be lazy until 7:30am. POB learned very early on — at Camp Wingate — that trying to make me a go-getter in the morning was a losing battle.

Today, SOS wanted to talk about his momentous birthday and think ahead about the next decade of his life.

“Will I change as much as I did in this last decade?”

“Well,” I said, “physically, probably not — you were a scrawny newborn — but emotionally, intellectually and philosophically? Absolutely!”

He was quiet. I had to remember that he is only 10 years old.

“But I will always be your baby. But not in public anymore.”

Oh, the dreaded “not in public anymore”. I knew it happened after boys hit the “double-digits” (i.e., 10 and over), but on the day that he turned 10? Was that soooooo necessary?

SOS had his birthday party before the school year ended, so all his friends could come. His actual birthday is therefore more low-key. He wanted a hamburger and fries and some Star Wars action figures. Easy enough.

We went to the “burger joint” and while we were waiting for his order, he posted:

So, not a good parenting day as far as SOS’s nutritional intake. But french fries are good for the soul.

On the way back, he took my hand and said,

“I know that I am pretty spoiled, but that is what parents are supposed to do.”

“Sweetie, a parent spoils best when she spoils a child with love.”

“Absolutely, that is number 1, but the toys do come in a really close second.”

I give him a look. That awesome “Mom look” that immediately establishes control over your child’s life.

“Whaaat?” He whines. “I’m just sayin’.”

Over dinner (we took the grease extravaganza to go), SOS asked, “E-Mom, remember when you said that Dubai was becoming more of a tourist attraction than an oil producer or distributor?”

“I don’t remember telling you that. We did discuss that Dubai’s leadership has built the tallest building and various (sinking) islands just off its shore.”

“Oh, yes, I remember: I read it in the Economist.”

From deep thoughts to a child’s scrawling hand-writing to reading business porn, all in the span of one day. Is he 5, or is he 10 or is he 35? Depends on the moment.